don't just give TO GIVE . . .

Is there such thing as complete and utter selflessness? Is there such a thing as just being nice to be nice or to put it in one word, altruism?

When you see someone who needs help, a friend you needs a helping hand, you do it because your a nice person.

When you see something a person like and buy it for them as a gift or when you happen to stumble along something a friend has been searching for and get it for them, you do it out of friendliness.

Right?

But my question is...is it always that simple, that pure? Is there never that tinge, that feeling that yes you do it because your nice, friendly and a good person but also you do it out for praise or respect even?

Maybe you don't so something because you seek praise, but be honest, when you give someone a gift and they just take it without saying thank you, doesn't it feel weird? Doesn't it feel almost as if they are implying they expected you to do what you did or give them what you did? It feels like there are unappreciative? The same goes for if you did someone a favor and they don't seem to show even the slightest gratitude. It's times like these when I question is it that I do things because I want the praise, thanks, the extra boost of morale....or is it just that when I don't get a thanks or a hug or a smile SOMETHING, that it FEELS as if they deserved it.

It's hard to tell, and of course I'd like to say the latter is true, but who knows. I have two points, one from the giving end and the other for the receiving end. For the GIVER if you ever do anything or give anything to someone do it because YOU want to regardless of how you think they'll react to it. Do it because by doing so, you think it will benefit them or make them happy in some way. And remember that people aren't always as expressive as you like and may not show how much they appreciate what you did or like what you have them. Basically don't get caught up in trying to understand what is going on in their head because that'll just drive you crazy. All you can do is control your actions and your thoughts. For the RECEIVER realize that it is hard for people to be intuitive and realize that givers often had you in mind. Be grateful that some one thought to do something for you or buy something for you, even if it isn't something you wanted or something you really asked for. It's the thought that counts right? So if anything remember to give a polite thank you or a smile because sometimes that really makes all the difference.

In the spirit of the holidays a time to cherish time with friend and family and lets me a honest a time of consumerism remember don't just give to give but give for a purpose and with thought and remember to always have a thank you stored a way just in case.

prompted by: holiday shopping

You get me.

"I'm a little left of center. I'm a little out of tune. Some say I'm a little paranormal. So I just bend their spoon. Who wants to ordinary in a crazy mixed up world. I don't care what they're saying as long as I'm your girl.

You get me, when nobody understands you come and take a chance..."

How ideal would it be to have someone who you can turn to and just GETS YOU, someone who takes all your craziness, weirdness, awkwardness and just see it as being normal -- being you.

You hear relationships like these in songs, you see it in movies, but does it really exist out there?

How great would it be to find that ONE person in the world who seriously knows YOU, knows how to cheer you up when your down, knows exactly when and what to say something and when to just let you be. As an optimist, I really do believe that that ONE does exist who just GETS YOU. It might take a while for these lyrics to become evident in my life because I am a very weird, childish and serious ball of craziness but I'm still young...ish and I have time.

prompted: Michelle Branch song

Parental love

I love my parents :) Plain and simple. There is nothing to contemplate here. I am really really fortunate to have such great parents who...

1. are there to help me whenever I need it
2. give me freedom and don't smother me at all. they let me do my own thing
3. always supportive
4. allowed me so many great opportunities, such as traveling to so many different places

It is so easy to take for granted what you have. Which is why it's important for me acknowledge every once in a while that I am fortunate to have parents like them.

Happy Anniversary Mama and Dada.

prompted by: parents anniversary party/slideshow

I am...

I am. Who are you?

Have you ever wondered when people think of "Your Name" what immediately comes to mind?

For myself, for those who know me I think what comes to mind is:

Dianna is artistic, creative and talkative.

What has made me come to this conclusion is my parents are having a celebration party for their anniversary and my mother asked me if to judge the costume contest and give a toast.

It makes me really happy to think that is how I come of as. Sometimes I wish that I was more street smart, more independent, more efficient, more knowledgeable in math/science. I could literally go on and on. But what I realized is...everyone is different and everyone has their own unique qualities about them that make them memorable even marketable.

As the saying goes. If your given lemons make lemonade.

Be proud of who you are. Embrace what you are great at (and if you think you aren't great at anything, you do, your just are thinking within a box). Don't let others views or definitions of "success" or "intelligence" hinder or bring you down. Define what those two words are for yourself.

I've gone on a bit of tangent but yes. To sum it up. Who are you? Be proud of that. And EMBRACE IT!

prompted by: mother dearest <3

Strength

What is it? How do you obtain it? How is it defined? And can it be learned?

These are my questions.

Strength as I define it is being confident in yourself and your actions. It is being confident in yourself without much fear of how your words or actions will be portrayed by others. Yes life is a lot about being courteous, tactful and accommodating but strength is having the guts to say SCREW YOU this is what I think and THIS IS WHO I AM.

Are you "strong"? And if you are will you teach me how to be?

I am by nature passive, but that needs to change. I just don't know how or where to start...

prompted by: personal experience